According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, home fires are the third leading cause of all home injury deaths in America. Fires also cause an average of $7.5 billion a year in America. Reduce your chances of fire damage to roofs by following these prevention tips.
Clean Out Junk in Attics
Although many homeowners use attics as additional storage space, many of the items stored are flammable. Linens, drapes, shower curtains, clothes, papers and other flammable material should never be stored loosely on the floor or up against walls. They should be stored in easy to move containers. Attics should never be crammed with possessions. Should a fire break out, first responders will need to easily move about your attic.
Never Store Highly Flammable Liquids in the Attic
Many roof and attic fires start because highly flammable liquids were stored there. Never store paint, gasoline, automotive fluids, cooking oils or aerosol spray cans in an attic. The intense heat of an attic could cause a fire, leaks or other damage. This is especially important to keep in mind if there is any electrical wiring in the attic. Should there be an electrical fire, the liquids will soon ignite and cause a major fire.
Get Annual Chimney Cleaning
It is a popular misconception that chimneys are low-maintenance. They’re not, no matter what material they are made out of. Creosote quickly builds up, causing a major fire hazard. Animals make nests in chimneys during warm months. Those nesting materials are highly flammable. It is possible to have a chimney fire and not know it. If you have had a chimney fire, you should call a roofer to inspect your attic for roof fire or heat damage.
Get an Annual Roof Inspection
It’s a good idea to get a roof inspection every year, whether your home has suffered a fire or not. If there have been any fires in your neighbor’s homes or tall trees, the heat could cause significant fire damage to your roof. If your attic turns into an oven during summer, the intense heat can cause damage to wood, plywood and roofs.
